Tomato Onion Salad Recipe (2024)

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Fresh tomato onion salad with the best of summer’s juicy heirloom tomatoes, capers and fresh herbs dressed in a lovely olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. Enjoy with crumbles of dairy free feta cheese or mozzarella + a slice of crusty bread or bruschetta to mop up all those juices.

Jump to RecipeTomato Onion Salad

I’m always crushing on heirloom tomatoes, all the different colors, shapes and sizes. They scream hot summer days, health, happiness and deliciousness. Today I’m particularly fond of the red ones, they remind me of last summer in Sicily when we started every single day with a big bowl of this tomato onion salad / Pomodoro salad with fresh basil and freshly baked crusty bread for breakfast. The life, i tell you!

Choosing the Best Tomatoes for Salad

  • Look for plump heirloom tomatoes with stems still attached if possible. They should be heavy for their size with a little give but not mushy.
  • Make sure there are no cracks or bruising but irregularities are fine with heirloom tomatoes. Some could appear quite ugly but their flavor is outstanding.
  • You should be able to smell them before slicing, as my grandma used to say “no smell, no flavor”. Look for a fragrant tomato scent where the stem is or used to be.
  • I used red tomatoes this time, but you can certainly go wild with a mix of colors here like I did when making grandpa’s timeless tomato cucumber salad.

How to Cut Tomatoes for Salad

  1. Use a sharp serrated knife and slice each tomato in half through the core. With a pairing knife remove and discard the little core from each half.
  2. Slice the tomatoes into 3/4 inch wedges and add them into a salad bowl. Do not get rid of the seeds and the flesh surrounding them, they will add magic to the dressing.

Tips + Variations

  • The Onion – I love using thinly sliced red onion here, shallots or purple Italian spring onions when I have them growing in the garden. That being said any sweet onion will work fine, I’m fond of the Vidalia variety myself.
  • Maceration Period – With any tomato or pasta salad a 10 to 20 minute maceration period is recommended for best results. Basically you are allowing the acid in the dressing to soften the tomatoes and onions and combine with their flavorful juices for a divine marriage of flavors.
  • Make ahead – Since tomatoes do not like the cold and become mealy when refrigerated it’s best to toss your salad no longer than 20 minutes before serving and enjoyed fresh. Refrigerated leftovers will be fine the next day but not exceptional.
  • Serving suggestionsmashed potatoes, pesto pizza, bruschetta, focaccia, pesto quinoa salad, Italian roasted potatoes, bread stuffing.
  • Dressing Variations – go for this basil walnut pesto, a balsamic reduction or lemon basil oil instead of the classic olive oil vinaigrette.

Note Worthy

  • Onions have amazing cancer fighting properties, antiviral, antibiotic + anti-inflammatory.
  • Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, they are also loaded with vitamins and lutein which helps with healthy vision.

Tomato Onion Salad Recipe (4)

5 from 1 vote

Tomato Onion Salad

Simple tomato onion salad recipe Mediterranean style with lots of fresh oregano, chives, capers and feta, dressed in a lovely olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing!

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Maceration period:10 minutes mins

Total Time:20 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 2 lb red heirloom tomatoes
  • 1 small purple onion
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup onion chives chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill roughly chopped + more to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh oregano leaves (optional)
  • 4 tbsp capers roughly chopped
  • 5 oz dairy free feta cheese (I used Violife) Optional
  • Fleur de Sel sea salt to taste

Instructions

  • Using a sharp serrated knife cut the tomatoes in half and remove the core. Slice into 3/4 inch wedges and add them to a serving bowl with the capers.

  • Slice the purple onion into thin strips or rounds and sprinkle on top of the tomatoes.

  • Use your hands and rustically tear the feta cheese over the top of the salad. Sprinkle with the fresh oregano, dill and chives.

  • Drizzle the salad with the olive oil and red wine vinegar.

  • Season with a pinch the Fleur the Sel sea salt, and give it a gentle toss to coat. Allow to macerate for about 10 minutes for all the flavors to marry.

  • Serve garnished with extra herbs and chive blossoms if available.

Notes

Choosing the Best Tomatoes for Tomato Salad

  • Look for plump heirloom tomatoes with stems still attached if possible. They should be heavy for their size with a little give but not mushy.
  • Make sure there are no cracks or bruising but irregularities are fine with heirloom tomatoes. Some could appear quite ugly but their flavor is outstanding.
  • You should be able to smell them before slicing, as my grandma used to say "no smell no flavor". Look for a fragrant tomato scent where the stem is or used to be.
  • I used red tomatoes this time, but you can certainly go wild with a mix of colors here like I did when making grandpa's tomato cucumber salad .

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 237mg | Potassium: 645mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2279IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 2mg

Course: Salads

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: tomato salad

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 187kcal

Author: Florentina

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  1. Tomato Onion Salad Recipe (15)
    We just can’t get enough of this tomato salad. Use an imported feta in brine, absolute perfection!

    Reply

  2. I could just stare at the feature photo. It’s in fact what I’ve been doing. So beautiful!

    Reply

    1. Thanks Mimi, so delicious 🙂

      Reply

  3. Mmmm yum, this salad looks delish!! I’d get seconds of this dish for sure.

    Reply

  4. So gorgeous and refreshing! <3

    Reply

  5. Ohhhhh yes… now this is my kind of salad!! I’m a HUGE tomato and onion fan 🙂

    Reply

    1. You and me both! We can have a tomato salad party for all I care, this is all I need ha! ~ Florentina

      Reply

  6. This sounds wonderful, and perfect for summer!

    Reply

  7. I just harvested a ton of tomatoes from the garden, and this salad will be the perfect way to enjoy them!

    Reply

  8. Yes please! This sounds amazing!

    Reply

Tomato Onion Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is onion and tomato salad good for health? ›

Tomatoes are a really healthy ingredient to work with because they contain so many vitamins, minerals, and are full of the antioxidant lycopene. Eating them fresh like this means you lose none of their benefits. Onions, too, are full of antioxidants.

Can you put raw onion in salad? ›

Yes, it is absolutely safe and common to eat raw onions in salads. Many people enjoy the crisp texture and pungent flavor that raw onions add to salads.

What is the best onion for salad? ›

Red Onions: The salad onion. While you can cook with it, it's less overpowering than white or yellow onions, making it ideal for uses that require raw onion. The colour fades as you cook them. Great for Greek salad, on burgers, etc.

What does eating raw onion do to the body? ›

Onions are rich in antioxidants like quercetin, which assist in decreasing bad cholesterol levels in the body, leading to improved cardiovascular health. Consumption of raw onion also aids in enhancing blood circulation, reducing high blood pressure, and preventing the risk of heart disease.

Why eat raw onions and tomatoes? ›

- Onions are rich in antioxidants, which can protect your cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. They also contain sulfur compounds, which can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. - Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C, which can boost your immune system and prevent infections.

Why do you soak onions in water? ›

Onions - soaking in cold water to soften the flavor

When preparing raw onions, soak in cold water before hand to remove some of the pungency and soften the flavor. However since soaking too long will dilute the flavor, soaking in cold water for 5 to 10 minutes is recommended.

Why do raw onions make me sick but cooked onions don t? ›

Raw onions can be harder to digest due to their high fiber content and compounds that may cause gas and bloating. Cooking onions breaks down these compounds, making them more digestible. If raw onions consistently cause indigestion, consider incorporating cooked onions into your diet.

How to prepare onions for salad? ›

Just peel and slice the red onion as called for in your recipe, then submerge them in a bowl of cold or ice water. Let them sit for at least ten minutes, stirring once or twice, before draining and using them in your recipe. For added flavor, you can also soak the onions in lime juice, lemon juice, or vinegar.

What type of onion is the healthiest? ›

Red onions

All types of onions are good for you, but this dark reddish-purple variety, sometimes called purple onion, has especially high levels of quercetin and other helpful plant compounds known as flavonoids. Flavonoids give many fruits, vegetables, and flowers their colors.

What should not be mixed with tomato? ›

Companion Plants To Avoid Growing Near Tomatoes
  1. Brassicas. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi can stunt the growth of your tomato plant because they out-compete them for the same nutrients. ...
  2. Corn. ...
  3. Fennel. ...
  4. Dill. ...
  5. Potatoes. ...
  6. Eggplant. ...
  7. Walnuts.
Feb 1, 2022

What goes first tomato or onion? ›

Heat oil, add onions and fry till golden in medium heat, add in ginger and garlic paste, fry in low heat until the oil seeps, then add in diced tomatoes and keep frying until the tomatoes melt into a gooey mess.

Who does not eat onion or garlic? ›

The Jain cuisine is completely lacto-vegetarian and also excludes root and underground vegetables such as potato, garlic, onion etc., to prevent injuring small insects and microorganisms; and also to prevent the entire plant getting uprooted and killed. It is practised by Jain ascetics and lay Jains.

Is tomato and onion salad good for weight loss? ›

It is low in calories, which makes it an ideal side for those watching their weight. All three main ingredients — cucumber, tomato, onion — contain so many nutrients and antioxidants, your body will thank you for thinking of it.

Is it good to eat onion as salad? ›

It can give you healthy bones

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), just one onion contains 25.3 mg of calcium. Calcium equals strong bones, so adding this veggie to your salad can build you build better bone health. This is one of the biggest benefits of eating raw onions everyday.

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